Rules

You're given a list of words and an empty crossword grid with blank squares already marked. Place every word in the grid, horizontally or vertically, so that any words that cross share the same letter at the crossing square—just like a normal crossword, but you're building it instead of solving clues.

The timer starts only after you choose Start and the server confirms the puzzle is ready. Your result is complete when the server accepts the finished grid.

Worked example

If your word list includes CROSS and SKI, and the grid has a spot where a horizontal run and a vertical run share a square, you might place CROSS horizontally so its middle S lands on that shared square, then place SKI vertically through the same square. Keep going until every word from the list has a home and no blank squares remain.

Common questions

• How do I place a word? Select a square, choose Across or Down, then select a matching entry. It is placed immediately.
• Can I move a word once it's placed? Yes. Select its slot, use the delete control, then place the entry in a new slot.
• Does the timer pause? Daily and Practice puzzles can be paused. The board and entry bank stay hidden until you choose Resume puzzle. Moving away from the browser tab also hides the puzzle immediately and requests a pause; return to the tab to check the server-confirmed state.

Strategy tips

• Start with your longest words—they have the fewest possible positions, so placing them first narrows everything else down.
• Look for shared letters between words before you start dropping anything into the grid.
• Leave short, common words for last—they usually fit wherever space is left.

Scoring

Reverse Cross is scored by server-calculated completion time—the faster you place every entry correctly, the better. Conflicting previews are not placed, so you can revise the board before submitting a valid arrangement.